A PMC story that resonates

With the permission of the family, we share the story of one rider’s commitment in the face of a dire diagnosis.  Her story was relayed to us by Billy Starr and is shared here verbatim. It certainly moved me and I believe it will move you as well.

The story is part of the fabric of our PMC culture and the reveals the bittersweet nature of our work and underlies the reason why we ride.

Three years ago, at the age of 37, Traci Blais Thomassen, of Pawtucket, RI was the picture of health. She ate right, exercised regularly and even placed in her age bracket in a few road races. So, when she went to the emergency room for pain and swelling in her abdomen she fully expected to walk out with a clean bill of health.

Instead, Thomassen was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer which had spread to her intestine and lungs. An emergency hysterectomy followed and Thomassen spent the next three weeks in the hospital.

Before she was diagnosed with cancer, Thomassen had registered to ride the 2009 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge. But after the diagnosis and surgery, riding the 50-mile Wellesley to Wellesley route seemed impossible. “Someone had already donated to my ride,” said Thomassen. “To earn their donation I had to at least get on my bike.”

Thomassen said that if she could make it out of the parking lot she would feel like she had participated but she first needed to be assured she could at least do that. She cautiously mounted the bike. “It was a miracle,” she said. “I could ride, I could move, it was amazing.” The freedom she felt while riding was so liberating Thomassen rode every day that week for a total of 75 miles.

By the time of the event she was ready. With her brother Mark beside her and her brother Kevin’s van in front of her, fully equipped with food, drinks and a port-a-potty because “people on chemo shouldn’t be using public rest rooms,” she pedaled the entire 50-mile route. The experience was so rewarding that Thomassen signed up for the 89 mile route in January, 2010 believing it would be easy because her treatment would be over.

As summer began, however, the cancer resurfaced and she found herself in her third round of chemo on PMC weekend. Once again she rode and once again she completed her goal.

Thomassen was signed up to ride in PMC 2011 and agreed to be one of the riders highlighted through our media efforts. Just 10 days before PMC 2011, Starr received an email from Traci that was stunning and chilling, in its clarity, grace and tone of finality. She wrote:

Hi! I have news to report, although it’s not my happiest ever. I have developed a blood borne infection we believe at the site of my PICC line. And I have made the decision not to be treated for the infection. We believe the sepsis will take over within the next few days and that I will not live to participate in this year’s PMC ride. Thankfully, my fundraising is well on its way, and my team (Team Bike Heroes) will still put together a fantastic effort. I know this isn’t what we were originally thinking, but I would suggest that it would still be possible to do a story on our team, which we anticipate will be riding in my memory this year.. Thanks so much for all of your work with this. I’m sorry it isn’t working out so that I can participate in the campaign directly. I still feel strongly that it’s such a good cause, and I hope it works out that a team story would still be of interest.

Be well.

Traci Was a PMCer, about to lose her life to cancer, passing the baton and wishing us well? Sadly, she was. This week, Don Thomassen said a final good-bye to his wife, Traci. People like Traci Blais Thomassen, whose composure and clarity are rare, motivate us all. In memory of Traci and so many others lost to cancer, we share this story.

 

WCVB-TV channel 5 to be PMC media sponsor in 2011

In 2011, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge will team up with WCVB-TV Channel 5, Boston’s top rated news station as its media partner. Coverage will begin early in the summer on “NewsCenter 5″ as well as on the station’s website, TheBostonChannel.com. In addition, a special edition of “Chronicle” will air on Friday, August 5, the eve of this year’s Pan-Mass Challenge.

“Our partnership with WCVB will create the opportunity to bring our cause to more people, grow our ridership and our donor base and ultimately raise more money for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund,” said PMC Founder and Executive Director Billy Starr.

The Pan-Mass Challenge, which is set for August 6 & 7, 2011, is the most successful athletic fundraising event in the nation. It raises two to three times more money for charity than any other and it contributes 100 percent of every rider-dollar raised directly to the cause. Since 1980, the PMC has raised and contributed $303 million to Dana-Farber.

“We will be proud to bring the stories of those who ride and raise money for cancer research to the public and increase exposure for the event,” said WCVB President and General Manager Bill Fine. As part of its sponsorship, the station will air an hour-long PMC kickoff show on Aug. 5.

The new sponsorship replaces a longtime relationship between the PMC and NECN. “NECN was a tremendous help in increasing public awareness about the PMC and we are grateful for their 12 years of support,” Starr said.

 

A mother parts with lasting words

From the Boston Globe on Monday, September 6, 2010:

Like she does most every night, Karyn Slomski gathered her young children close to her and read to them — first a story about a day of kindergarten for her 4-year-old daughter, Maggie, then Dr. Seuss for 6-year-old Brendan.

This storytime was different than the rest. It was recorded on video, intended as a living memory.

On the day of filming in August, Slomski hadn’t told her children yet, but she was dying and had only weeks to live. They knew their mother is sick, that something called cancer has ravaged her body over the past four years. But they don’t yet know she will soon be gone.

“I want them to be able to see me when I’m gone, to see us all together as a family,’’ said Slomski, 38, as the videographer prepared for the session. “I wanted something more than pictures, for them to remember me. And to remember how happy we all were.’’

So for 90 minutes in front of the camera, the Slomskis huddled close on the couch in their sunlit living room in Auburn. Karyn Slomski read, laughed and talked with her children, reminisced with her husband, and declared her love for her family and the life they’ve had together.  She created this video as a lasting memory.

Slomski died yesterday.

Here is an excerpt from the video:

 

Pedal partners make a big difference

The PMC ride is 192 miles long, and it’s the largest athletic fund-raising event in the country. But it’s the little people who make the big difference.  For the last two years, we have ridden in honor of our pedal partner Emily.  In the video below, you can see what that is all about.  And it even features Emily and our teammate Scott Young.

 

2010 training is underway

Here’s a glimpse at our latest ride:

Untitled by jeffreynroy at Garmin Connect – Details.

 

2010 Loud Auction/Silent Music brochure

For those of you attending our event Friday night (April 9) at Showcase Live, here is the 2010 Loud Music/Silent Auction brochure:

View this document on Scribd

 

8th Annual Live Music/Silent Auction

Join us for our 8th Annual Live Music Silent Auction at Showcase Live at Patriot Place in Foxborough, featuring live music from THE Average White Band and Sugarfoot and the Brass Kicking Horns. Help Phil’s Phriends raise funds to fight cancer through the Pan Mass Challenge and the Jimmy Fund.

Tickets are only $25 per person and must be purchased in advance. Limited tickets are available, so please reserve your spot as soon as possible. To reserve tickets, click here.

We look forward to you joining us for a great event. The doors to Showcase Live will open at 6:00pm. At that time you will be able to order food and beverages, preview auction items and make initial bids. The Average White Band will take the stage at 8:00pm and play until 9:30pm. At that time, we will open the silent auction bidding for 1 hour. At 10:00pm Sugarfoot and the Brass Kicking Horns will take the stage and complete the evening.

All ticket sale proceeds bought from Phil’s Phriends will be donated to the PMC and Cancer Research. All tickets bought through the Showcase Live Box office will be for the Average White Band Show and will not be considered a donation. Auction item bidding will be open to the entire crowd at Show Case Live. Please help Phil’s Phriends support our young PMC pedal partner – Emily Taylor – by raising money for cancer research. We look forward to seeing you at the event and thank you for your support!

The Average White Band are widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. Though perhaps best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ the band’s strength actually lay in their consistently accomplished song-writing, stretching across several gold selling albums and multi-grammy nominations for the legendary Atlantic Records. Sugarfoot & The Brass Kickin’ Horns is a 7 piece band with male & female vocalists and one of the finest horns sections around. The band plays the absolute best funk and dance hits from all eras including Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Madonna, Journey and many more.

To get tickets, click here.

In addition to the auction items, we have added a special raffle item. The lucky winner will be treated to a 3 night/ 4 day all-inclusive stay in a One Bedroom Suite at Velas Vallarta Suite Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Tickets will be sold at the door for $20/chance.

Here is a current list of the auction items that will be available on April 9 (check back frequently for updated list):

Item	Value
Two tickets to the Red Sox-Yankees game on October 3, 2010 (the last game of the season)	$150
Two tickets to the Red Sox-Rangers game on April 21, 2010.	$180
Baseball autographed by Jonathan Papelbon	$250
Homestead Resort – Hot Springs Virginia – Package Includes: 3 Night / 4 Day Stay for 2 with Breakfast for 2 daily, Afternoon Tea, Historical Tours, Service and Tax, Golf with Cart for 2 each day (6 rounds total).	$2,000
Miami Loews South Beach – 2 Night stay with Breakfast each day	$850
Westin Copley Place – Weekend Stay includes deluxe accommodations for two with breakfast (in The Huntington dining room) each day and tax	$800
Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe – All inclusive 4 night/5 day stay for two. Includes all food and beverage, taxes and gratuities	$2,400
Secrets St. James Montego Bay — three(3) night stay.	$1,000
Jam and Jellies basket from www.orchardstreetjams.com	$75
New England Patriots Corey Dillon autographed 8 x 10 photo	$60
Package of Show tickets from Showcase Live
Celtics suede Championship jacket	$150
Gift certificate for a Manicure and Pedicure at Willow Salon and Day Spa in Millis.	$56.00
Wellness Basket with an hour and a half massage, a chiropractic consultation, an in home cooking class, and a private yoga session.	$500
Taylor Swift Limited Edition Masterpiece Collage	$350
Twilight Limited Edition Movie Masterpiece Collage	$400
Tim Thomas & Zdeno Chara Hand-Signed “Winter Classic” Hockey Pucks Lot	$275
The Boys of Boston Limited Edition Masterpiece Collage Featuring Bobby Orr, Ted Williams, & Larry Bird	$450
Boston Celtics Legends Limited Edition “Smoking Cigars” Masterpiece Collage	$450
Paul Pierce Hand-Signed Official NBA Basketball	$325
Boston Celtics’ Big 3: Then & Now Masterpiece Collage	$225
Tedy Bruschi Hand-Signed “Super Bowl 39″ Photograph	$325
Fenway Park Limited Edition “Timeline” Masterpiece Featuring Actual Game Dirt & Park Brick	$275
Ted Williams Limited Edition “Retired Number” Masterpiece Featuring Actual Game Used Dirt From Fenway Park	$275
Yogi Berra Hand-Signed “With Babe Ruth” Photograph	$275
1980 US Hockey “Miracle on Ice” Team Hand-Signed Photograph	$600
Carlton Fisk Hand-Signed “Home Run” Photograph	$350
Jon Lester Hand-Signed “No-Hitter” Photograph	$275
Wes Welker Hand-Signed Photograph	$250
Robert Parish Hand-Signed Photograph	$200
Rajon Rondo Hand-Signed Photograph	$200
Larry Bird Hand-Signed “Free Throw” Photograph	$275
Wes Welker Hand Signed Throwback Patriots Helmet	$650
Beer basket with assorted brews and snacks to go with them	$50
Sam Adams “Bucket of Cheer” — Includes two each of (hats, t-shirts, perfect pints, bottle openers) and one certificate good for 12 cases of Samuel Adams all tucked into a five quart logo’d galvanized bucket!	$350
Wine basket featuring an assortment of reds and whites.	$75
New home starter kit with the following items: Coffee Maker; Toaster; Crockpot; 3 cup chopper; and Soap magic dispenser	$100

 

 

Jam sales support Phil’s Phriends

Orchard Street Jams has generously teamed up with Phil’s Phriends to create a very special fundraising opportunity. Beginning immediately, Orchard Street Jams will donate $1.50 for every 11.0 oz jar and $.50 for every 5.5oz jar of homemade jams and jellies purchased by April 9, 2010 to Phil’s Phriends.

Orchard Street Jams offers a variety of delicious home-made jams and jellies. The flavors change with the season and they use only home grown, local ingredients.

To purchase some truly fantastic jams and jellies and support a great cause, please click here. When ordering, please include Phils Phriends in the subject line. Purchases can be picked up at the April 9th event to avoid shipping charges or shipped via USPS. Paypal is available for your convenience.

 

15 riders, 15 stories, one goal

Sometimes it is important to just sit back and think about what life is all about. If anything, riding in the PMC gives you that opportunity over the course of three days (and more if you take into consideration the letter writing campaigns and conversations). PMC 2009 did not let down in that area.

Phil’s Phriends 2009 was made up of 15 riders with 15 stories.  But among the individual efforts was one goal — the eradication of cancer.  As Jeff Nutting indicated in an e-mail to the team, there is a feeling of synergy on this team.  And as he noted, “We ride to try and make a difference and we ride for hope.”

Here are some of the things that stand out in my mind from the 2009 ride:

Meeting up with the team in Sturbridge and then riding together is key.  Julie phrased it best saying:  “These last four years have really taught me the meaning of the word team. I can’t stress enough how important you all are to me, laughing on the road, waiting for each other at the water stops, sitting together for our meals. I am always blown away by what a team can accomplish — there is no way I could ever pull this off alone.” 

Of course, in our sophisticated discourse, we learned and shared a lot of new phrases along the way.  Among them were: “More cowbell”; “Dropping the kiddies off at the pool”; “pain is temporary”; “Don’t draft me”.  They’re all colorful new additions to our vocabulary.

Seeing Phil’s wife Mary, their two children, and our other phriends and phamily at the Franklin water stop is a special moment.  We are reminded of our loss, but we see their growth and strength.  Brian will be playing football next year, and like his Dad, I’m sure he’ll be the most liked player on the turf.  Kelsey is going into 5th grade and has blossomed into a beautiful young girl.  And Mary continues to keep the MHS students on the right path.

The ride down Cherry Street is always memorable.  The street was colorful as ever, and the energy that is emitted by the people there makes the 27 mile ride to the lunch stop seem easier.  It was also a nice touch seeing that the band on the street has moved into acoustic rock.  I did miss not seeing Jean dressed up in her clown costume.  She was ill on the morning of the ride and couldn’t be out there, but we were thinking of her.  All of her signs made it out to the side of the road, however.

And speaking of signs, a lot of great people put messages out there for us along the way.  Some hold signs while others post them on their lawns or mailboxes.  Whereever they are, it’s nice to know that people are thinking of the ride and take the time to make the pathway brighter for everyone.

Meeting up with our pedal partner Emily and her family was rejuvinating.  We were about 85 miles into the ride and exhausted when we saw Emily in a Phil’s Phriends shirt with a bright smile and matching straw hat.  She was surrounded be her family in orange.  Michelle summed it up nicely noting that our being fortunate enough to get to know the Taylor family has been huge.  We look forward to staying in touch and watching as Emily continues to thrive and crank through her treatments.  We received a heartwarming note from Emily’s Mom at the end of the ride:

WOW… We are so very proud !! You guys are our ultimate inspiration. Tears are welling as I type. Please give a huge hug to everyone for us. Em felt like a princess yesterday… We love you all and feel like we’ve know you for years. Thank you for all you do….team emily oxox

Watching Ethan grow as a rider and participate with the team was encouraging.  As his Mom wrote:

I can NOT tell you how much it meant to me that my Phriends accepted Ethan, a 13-year old, into the fold of our team.  I was so nervous, writing that first email back in March, asking if Ethan could tag along on our Sunday team ride.  I really wasn’t sure if I’d be dragging the team down, or changing the dynamic, or breaking an unspoken team rule by adding my kid to the mix.  He’d never ridden before, wasn’t used to riding such a skinny, light bike, and was probably as nervous about the whole thing as I was.  This is a kid that has been taken under the collective wing of Phil’s Phriends. 

The isolation on the roads on the Sunday morning ride from Bourne to Wellesley was different from our experiences in the past along the Cape route.  Those gaps were filled in nicely by our teammates.  And when we did catch up with pockets of people along the way, the parrot squeezes were in full force.

The one downside of the weekendwas meeting up with the doctor (I’ll affectionately refer to him as the “order-giver”) on Sunday morning.  We were riding a nice paceline led by Michelle when we were approached by a 3-pack of riders led by one obnoxious order giver who was riding in the caboose position.  They proceed to pass us, pulled in front of Michelle, and then slowed down.  Of course we were perplexed and Michelle maneuvered into a re-pass, and got out in front of the group.  The hoots and hollars from the order-giver resonated.  With Michelle in front, the 3-pack slinked in to a paceline to draft off of Michelle.  I, being next in line, proceeded to nuzzle up to the back tire of the order-giver and enjoy the draft.

Within seconds, the order-giver turns around to tell me not to draft.  “I don’t like people near me,” he barked.  I couldn’t help but wonder what he was doing on a group ride with 5,000 others if he didn’t want people near him.  It turns out that Denise had a similar experience when she attempted to “draft” the order-giver.

As luck would have it, the order-giver turned out to be the same obnoxious person who turned us off during the opening ceremonies with his comments about smoking and obesity. 

Despite that one downer, it was a great weekend.  And we were even able to turn that event into a laughable story.  As Neil Young sang:  “Don’t let it bring you down, it’s only castles burning.  Just find someone whose turning, and you will come around.”

Kris’s note from Sunday night was a touching conclusion, and good way to wrap it up:

I also wanted to say I am so proud of all of you. This weekend has two meanings for me and the first being for Phil.  He and Mary became part of our life back in 1990 with their friendship and then the ugly cancer piece.  Becoming part of Phil’s Phriends had a huge impact on Bob and his desire to help erase cancer and the personal goal to get in shape.

The second part for me is the anniversary of Bob’s death.  It is ironic that he passsed away during PMC time.  He was so happy doing the PMC and that always gives me great comfort.  The weekend is a struggle of happy and sad emotions but I cannot imagine not spending the weekend with anyone else than Phil’s Phriends and famly.

I am so proud of all of you for riding hard and doing good for the world of cancer!!! 

PMC 2009 was another memorable weekend and I thank everyone for being a part of this effort and touching my life.  Billy Starr said it best when he wrote that a “unified force of people made whole by the belief in a single mission has the ability to improve the human condition.”

 

2009 photos available on Flickr

Here is the 2009 Phil’s Phriends team at the starting line in Sturbridge. This photo was taken at approximately 5:10 a.m. (which accounts for the tired look on our faces). At this point, we were facing the prospect of 110 miles to Bourne.

I’m happy to report that we all made it safe and sound, and did our part to raise funds for the fight against cancer. You can see more of our adventures on Flickr by clicking here .